Method and Device for Supporting a Gas Cylinder and Associated Torch Handle

ABSTRACT

A device is disclosed for supporting from the belt of a user a gas cylinder assembly and simultaneously the handle of a torch associated with the cylinder. In an assembly, the device is used in conjunction with a gas cylinder assembly and the handle of an associated torch. A method is also disclosed for mounting a gas cylinder assembly and handle of an associated torch to the belt of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for simultaneously supporting a gas cylinder and the handle of a torch associated with the gas cylinder.

Description of Related Art

Flame soldering and heating requires a torch and gas from a cylinder to generate a torch flame. There are many applications in which the associated torch may be handheld or, for convenience when not in use, placed on a surface, in a pouch, or secured to a device attached to the user. In one prior art design, a pouch is secured to the belt of a user, and extending from the pouch is a tube which accepts the torch tube. However, such an arrangement is fairly large and a more compact and less expensive arrangement is desired.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art device 10 for supporting from the belt 12 of a user 14 a cylinder assembly 16 for fuel gases. The device 10 is made up of a belt engagement clip 18 adapted to engage with the belt 12 and a cylinder engagement clip 20 extending from the belt engagement clip 18 for engaging the cylinder assembly 16. The belt engagement clip 18 is made of opposing clip sides 22, 24 defining a restriction 26 therebetween for positioning over the belt 12. The cylinder engagement clip 20 is made up of two opposing arms 28, 30, wherein the arms 28, 30 are adapted to engage the cylinder assembly 16 made up of the cylinder body 16A and a cylinder cap 16B which typically may be a pressure regulator device, valve, or a fitting.

However, such a device 10 makes no provision for supporting the handle of the associated torch. There are times when the torch is not being used and, at these times, the user needs a location to rest the torch, which is tethered with a hose to the gas cylinder. After torch usage, the torch tip remains hot and care must be taken to properly rest the torch to avoid injury or starting a fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a device for supporting from the belt of a user a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and a handle of an associated torch comprises: a) a belt engagement clip adapted to engage with a belt; b) a cylinder engagement clip extending from the belt engagement clip; and c) a torch handle engagement portion for supporting a torch, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is secured to and extends from the cylinder engagement clip.

In another embodiment, an assembly for securing a cylinder for fuel gases and an associated torch to the clip of a belt of a user comprises: a) a cylinder assembly for fuel gases having a cylinder body with a cap; b) a torch connected to the cylinder assembly, wherein the torch has a torch handle; and c) a support device for engagement with the belt of a user, wherein the device comprises: (1) a belt engagement clip for engagement with the belt of a user; (2) a cylinder engagement clip with two opposing arms extending from the belt engagement clip, wherein the arms are resilient with respect to one another in opposing directions and wherein each arm engages one side of a groove within the cylinder cap or a gap between the cylinder cap and the cylinder body; and (3) a torch handle engagement portion extending from one of the cylinder engagement clip arms and engaging the torch handle.

In yet another embodiment, a method for mounting a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and the associated torch to the belt of a user comprises the steps of: a) securing a device with the clip to the belt of a user; b) securing the cylinder assembly to the same device by clamping opposing arms of the device to engage the cylinder assembly; and c) securing the torch handle to the same device through one of hooking or looping engagement.

In one embodiment, the torch handle is secured to the device with the torch tip extending in a direction away from the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the advantages and features of the preferred embodiments of the invention have been summarized hereinabove. These embodiments along with other potential embodiments of the device and method will become apparent to those skilled in the art when referencing the following drawings in conjunction with the detailed description as they relate to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a prior art device for supporting a gas cylinder assembly to the body of the user;

FIG. 2 is prior art and is an illustration of the same device with a cylinder assembly mounted and secured to a user;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device;

FIG. 4A is an enlargement of the area “4A” encircled in FIG. 4 but showing another position of the hook;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the device along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the device along lines 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an end view along arrows 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an end view along lines 8-8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top view oriented to better illustrate the features of the belt engaging clip;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are two sequential views illustrating one embodiment by which the device supports the torch handle;

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the torch;

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the clip attached to a user with the cylinder assembly and torch handle connected thereto;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are two sequential views illustrating another embodiment in which the device supports the torch handle; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are two sequential views illustrating yet another embodiment in which the device supports the torch handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms, if used, shall relate to the referenced embodiment as it is orientated in the accompanying drawing figures or otherwise described in the following detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments described hereinafter may assume many alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures and described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.

Briefly directing attention to FIG. 11, a device 100 in accordance with the subject invention is illustrated for supporting the handle 114 of the torch 118 from the belt 110 of a user a cylinder assembly 116, having a cylinder body 116A and a cylinder cap 116B. The cylinder cap 116B of the cylinder 116 may be a pressure regulator, valve or a fitting.

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate details of the device 100. The device 100 comprises a belt engagement clip 120, adapted to engage with a belt and a cylinder engagement clip 130, extending from the belt engagement clip 120. The device 100 further comprises a torch handle engagement portion 140 for supporting a torch, wherein the torch handle engagement portion 140 is secured to and extends from the cylinder engagement clip 130. While in the past a user was frequently required to hold the torch handle even when not using the torch, use of the device 100 to support the torch handle 140 frees up both hands of the user for other tasks. Furthermore, use of the device 100 allows the entire assembly, including the cylinder, hose and torch, to be moved together as a unit.

Directing attention to FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, and 9, the belt engagement clip 120 is made up of a clip first side 122 and an opposing clip second side 124 defining a restriction 126 therebetween for positioning over a belt. A clip axis 128 extends between the clip sides 122, 124. The sides 122, 124 of the clip 120 may move resiliently relative to one another.

The torch handle engagement portion 140 defines an axis 142 forming an angle A (FIG. 4) with the clip axis 128, which has been transposed as axis 128A, next to the cylinder engagement clip 130, of between 0-90°.

The cylinder engagement clip 130 (FIG. 4) is made up of a first arm 132 and a second arm 134 spaced from and opposing one another along a line 135. The arms 132, 134 are adapted to engage the cylinder assembly 116, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The arms 132, 134 are also resilient with movement toward and away from one another along the line 135.

Returning to FIGS. 3-9, the torch handle engagement portion 140 is a protrusion 144 extending from a cylinder engagement clip 130. In one embodiment, the device 100 may be a single continuous uninterrupted piece. On the other hand, multiple pieces may be secured together for the device 100. For example, the torch handle engagement portion 140 may be welded to the cylinder engagement clip 130. Metal, plastic or rubber may be used for the entire device 100 such that the belt engagement clip 120, the cylinder engagement clip 130, and the torch handle engagement portion 140 may be of the same material. Any material used must be resilient such that the cylinder engagement clip 20 may deflect to expand around and engage a groove 137, 138. The torch handle engagement portion 140 may be a hook 146 and the hook 146 may extend downwardly from the cylinder engagement clip 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the hook 146 has a first end 147A and a second end 147B wherein a line L1 connecting the ends 147A, 147B forms an angle C of between 0-180° in a direction away from the belt clip 120 (FIG. 4).

Illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is an arrangement using the device 100 for securing a gas cylinder assembly 116 and the associated torch handle 114 to the clip 120 of a belt 110 of a user. In particular, the gas cylinder assembly 116 has a cylinder body 116A and a cylinder cap 116B with a groove 137 extending therearound. It is within this groove 137 that the cylinder engagement clip 130 engages for supporting the cylinder assembly.

It is also possible to engage the cylinder engagement clip 116 within the gap 138 between the cap 116B and the cylinder body 116A shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Although not illustrated, it is entirely possible to support other areas of the cap 116B or, furthermore, to support the cylinder body 116A in a manner known to one skilled in the art. The discussion hereinafter will be directed to engagement of the groove 137 with the understanding that these alternate support approaches may be utilized.

The torch 118 associated with the cylinder assembly 116 has a torch handle 114. As previously discussed, the device 100 is for engagement with the belt 110 of a user through the belt engagement clip 120. The device further includes the cylinder engagement clip 130 having two opposing arms 132, 134 extending from the belt engagement clip 120. The arms 132, 134 are resilient with respect to one another in opposing directions along line 135 and each arm 132, 134 engages one side of the groove 137 of the cylinder cap 116B. The torch handle engagement portion 140 extends from one of the cylinder engagement clip arms 132, 134 and engages the torch handle 114. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the torch handle 114 has a knob 148 with a stem 149 and the hook 146 engages the stem 149. For the arrangement illustrated herein, the knob is a gas control knob that controls flow of gas to the torch tip 150. A hose 115, illustrated in phantom, is connected between the cylinder assembly 116 and the torch 118 to provide fuel to the torch 118.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a torch tube 152 extends from the torch handle 114. A first section 154 of the torch tube 152 has a first section axis 155 and a second section 156 of the torch tube 152 has a second section axis 157, wherein the second section axis 157 may form an angle B with the first section axis 155. The torch tube may also be comprised of a flexible tube (not shown) and the first section axis would be defined as an extension from the torch handle while the second section axis would be defined by the orientation of the torch tip. When the torch handle 114 is mounted within the device 100, one goal is to orient the tip 150 of the torch 118 away from the user to avoid unintentional contact of the user or a combustible surface with the hot tip.

Overall, the device 100 described herein, allows for simultaneous support of both the gas cylinder assembly 116 and the torch 118. The subject device 100, furthermore, allows for the torch 118 to be mounted relative to the user such that when the torch handle 114 is mounted, the torch tip 150 is orientated away from the user to minimize damage or injury that may be caused by a hot torch tip 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the torch handle 114 is secured within the torch handle engagement portion 140, such that the second section axis 157 of the torch tube second section 156 forms an angle C with respect to the clip axis 128 (transposed herein) of between 0-180° away from the belt engagement clip 120.

What has so far been discussed is an arrangement where the torch handle engagement portion is a hook to engage the stem of a valve in the torch handle.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a torch handle 214, similar to handle 114, may have a recess 220 extending therein which may be engaged by the torch handle engagement portion 140. The engaged configuration is shown in FIG. 15. Once again, it is desired to orient the torch tip way from the user.

As further illustrated in FIG. 16, a torch handle 314, similar to handle 114, may have a loop 320 which may be engaged by the torch handle engagement portion 140. The engaged configuration is shown in FIG. 17. Once again, it is desired to orient the torch tip 350 of the torch 318 away from the user.

The torch handle may also have one of a magnet or steel plate secured thereto and the protrusion may be the other of a magnet or steel plate such that the protrusion may be secured to and support the handle. Additionally, the torch handle may be secured to the protrusion using Velcro®, rope, snaps, and buckles using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

While each arrangement illustrated herein has shown the torch in an upright position with the torch tip extending upwardly, it should be appreciated that minor modifications obvious to those skilled in the art it is possible to mount the torch to the device with the torch in an inverted position.

Although not illustrated, it is also possible to attach a protective bag to the device such that with the torch mounted to the device in the inverted position, the pouch acts as a shield to protect the user from a torch hot tip. The pouch may be leather with a loop extending therefrom which engages the device or with an eyelet extending through for engagement by the device.

With attention to FIGS. 10 and 11 as an example, a method for mounting a gas cylinder assembly 116 and the associated torch 118 to the belt 110 of a user may comprise the steps of securing a device 100 with a belt engagement clip 120 to the belt 110 of a user. This cylinder assembly 116 may be secured to the same device 100 by clamping opposing arms 132, 134 of the device 100 to engage the cylinder assembly 116. A handle 114 of the torch 118 may be secured to the same device 100 through one of a hooking or looping arrangements, as discussed herein. In this method, the torch tube 152 of the torch 118 may extend from the torch handle 114 and wherein the torch handle 114 is secured to the device 100 such that a torch tip 150 extends in a direction away from the user which is also a direction away from the axis 128A (FIG. 13) between the belt engagement clip first side 122 and the belt engagement clip second side 124.

While certain embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying figures and described herein above in detail, other embodiments will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that to the extent possible one or more features of the embodiment can be combined with one or more features of the other embodiment. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for supporting from the belt of a user a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and a handle of an associated torch, wherein the device comprises: a) a belt engagement clip adapted to engage with a belt; b) a cylinder engagement clip extending from the belt engagement clip; and c) a torch handle engagement portion for supporting a torch, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is secured to and extends from the cylinder engagement clip.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the belt engagement clip is made of a clip first side and an opposing clip second side defining a restriction therebetween for positioning over a belt, wherein a clip axis extends between the clip sides.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the sides of the clip are resilient with movement toward and away from one another.
 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the torch handle engagement portion defines an axis forming an angle (A) with the clip axis of between 0-90°.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder engagement clip is comprised of a first arm and a second arm spaced from and opposing one another in a first direction, wherein at least one arm is resiliently movable in the first direction and wherein the arms are adapted to engage the cylinder assembly.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is a protrusion extending from the cylinder engagement portion.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is welded or soldered to the cylinder engagement portion.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the belt engagement clip, the cylinder engagement clip and the torch handle engagement portion are a single continuous uninterrupted piece.
 9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is a hook.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the hook has a first end and a second end and wherein a line connecting the ends forms an angle (C) of between 0-180 degrees with the clip axis.
 11. An assembly for securing a cylinder for fuel gases and an associated torch to the clip of a belt of a user comprising: a) a cylinder assembly for fuel gases having a cylinder body with a cap; b) a torch connected to the cylinder assembly, wherein the torch has a torch handle; and c) a support device for engagement with the belt of a user, wherein the device comprises: (1) a belt engagement clip for engagement with the belt of a user; (2) a cylinder engagement clip with two opposing arms extending from the belt engagement clip, wherein the arms are resilient with respect to one another in opposing directions and wherein each arm engages one side of a groove within the cylinder cap or a gap between the cylinder cap and the cylinder body; and (3) a torch handle engagement portion extending from one of the cylinder engagement clip arms and engaging the torch handle.
 12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the torch handle has a knob with a stem and the torch handle engagement portion is a hook that engages the stem.
 13. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the torch handle has a loop attached thereto and the engaging member is a hook that engages the loop.
 14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the torch handle has a recess therein and the engagement portion is a protrusion that engages the recess.
 15. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the torch handle is one of a magnet and the protrusion is the other of the magnet or steel plate.
 16. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein a) the belt engagement clip has opposing sides defining a clip axis therebetween, b) a torch tube extends from the torch handle and a first section of the torch tube has a first section axis and a second section of the torch tube has a second torch tube section and a second section axis, wherein the second section axis is angled with the first section axis, and c) wherein the torch handle is secured with the torch holder engagement portion such that the axis of the torch tube second section forms an angle with respect to the clip axis of between 0-180° away from the belt engagement clip.
 17. A method for mounting a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and an associated torch to a belt of a user comprising the steps of: a) securing a device with a clip to the belt of a user; b) securing the cylinder assembly to the same device by clamping opposing arms of the device to engage the cylinder assembly; and c) securing the torch handle to the same device through one of hooking or looping engagement such that the hands of the user are available for other tasks.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the torch tube extends from the torch handle and wherein the torch handle is secured to the device with the torch tip extending in a direction away from the user. 